Friday, Dec. 27, 2002 | 11:32 a.m.
A federal lawsuit filed Thursday accuses the state Corrections Department of violating the rights of prison guards by preventing their freedom of speech.
The State of Nevada Employees Association filed suit against the Corrections Department and the attorney general's office, alleging the employees have been reprimanded and placed on suspension for speaking out about the security and safety of prison workers.
According to the complaint, the employees have been denied the right to freely associate, the right to advocate for benefits and the right to make comments on public concern.
The department and the attorney general's office deny that any employees' rights have been violated.
Union officials this morning said that if the issues are not resolved soon, members would picket the state office in Carson City in January.
The employees association represents about 4,400 state government workers.
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